Homemade Apple Pie
About the recipe:
This classic Homemade Apple Pie features a flaky, buttery crust and a warm, spiced apple filling. The tender apples are perfectly sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with cinnamon, making it a comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat!
* If you want tips, how-to’s and process photos, be sure to read the whole post below.
Nothing says autumn like the warm, comforting aroma of a homemade apple pie fresh out of the oven. It’s a timeless dessert that evokes warm memories and brings comfort to any gathering. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, crafting the perfect apple pie is easier than you think when you follow a few simple tips and techniques.
Choosing the Right Apples
The secret to a great apple pie is choosing the right kind of apples. You want a variety that holds its shape when baked and balances sweetness with a slight tartness. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or a mix of these varieties work beautifully to give your pie both structure and flavor.
How to make the Flakiest Pie Crust
The pie crust in this recipe resembles the beloved pâte brisée we often make in France, but it’s even more buttery and crispy. To achieve that perfectly light and airy texture, I’ve replaced granulated sugar with powdered sugar, which blends more seamlessly into the dough. A hint of lemon juice is added to bring out the richness of the butter, giving the crust a balanced, refined flavor that complements the sweet-tart filling of tender apples.
A few more key tips will help you achieve the perfect texture:
• Keep your ingredients cold. Use cold butter and ice-cold water to prevent the fat from melting, which helps create those flaky layers.
• Work quickly. Whether you’re using your fingers or a food processor, be quick when mixing the butter into the flour. You want to leave small chunks of butter throughout the dough to create that signature flaky crust.
• Don’t overwork the dough. Once the dough comes together, resist the urge to knead it too much. Overworking the dough will result in a tough crust.
Making the Apple Filling
For a filling that’s full of flavor, it’s essential to cook the apples before adding them to the pie. This step ensures that the apples are perfectly tender and allows you to control the sweetness and texture.
• Pre-cooking the apples helps release excess moisture, so your pie won’t end up soggy. Simply simmer the apples with sugar, butter, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon juice until they soften slightly.
• Add cornstarch or flour to help thicken the filling as it bakes, giving your pie the perfect consistency.
How to create a Lattice Top for your Pie
The lattice design not only makes the pie look beautiful but also allows the filling to vent while baking. Here’s how you can do it easily:
1. Cut the dough into even strips:
Roll out your dough and cut it into even strips, about 1 to 2 cm wide, depending on how thick you want your lattice. You can use a knife with a ruler for precision, or a pizza or pastry wheel if you have one.
2. Fill the pie and lay down the strips:
After filling your pie shell with the apple mixture, lay 4 to 7 parallel strips of dough over the filling, leaving a gap of 1 to 2 cm between each strip. Fold back every other strip to begin the weaving process.
3. Start weaving the cross strips:
Place a long strip of dough perpendicular to the ones you’ve just laid. Unfold the folded strips over this new perpendicular strip.
4. Continue folding and weaving:
Take the parallel strips that are underneath the perpendicular strip and fold them back over it. Then, lay down another perpendicular strip next to the first one, leaving space between them. Unfold the folded strips back over the new perpendicular strip. Repeat this weaving process until you’ve covered the entire pie.
5. Trim and crimp the edges:
Trim the excess dough around the edges of the pie dish so that it’s flush with the bottom crust. Fold the rim of the pie dough over the edge of the lattice strips, and crimp the edges to seal everything together.
Bake it to Perfection
Baking time is crucial to achieving a crisp crust and perfectly cooked filling. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F), and bake the pie for 30-40 minutes until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles through the lattice.
Homemade Apple Pie
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients – flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. Add the cold, cubed butter, and using your fingertips or a food processor, break it down into fine crumbs. Gradually add cold water, a little at a time, until the dough begins to come together. Once it forms, quickly shape it into two balls – one slightly larger than the other. Wrap both in cling film and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt. Stir everything together and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the filling to cool.
- Roll out the larger portion of the dough and place it in your pie dish. Pour in the apple filling, then freeze for 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, roll out the second portion of the dough and cut it into strips. Create a lattice pattern over the top of the pie, then return the pie to the freezer for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Brush the top of the pie with an egg wash made by whisking one egg yolk with a few drops of milk. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
